New Mail and Exchange payload settings• Allow a user to enable or disable S/MIME signing• Allow a user to modify the selection of the S/MIME signing certificate• Allow a user to enable or disable S/MIME encryption• Allow a user to modify the selection of the S/MIME encryption certificate

New Exchange payload settings• Use OAuth for authentication

New Notifications payload settings• Specify whether an app is allowed to send critical alerts• Allow grouped notifications• Show in CarPlay

New Commands• Install Updates (only appears in the Action pop-up menu when updates are available on the selected Apple TV or Apple TV devices within a group)

5.6.3

Sep 17, 2018

• Compatibility changes to support secure network communication with client applications in future releases of macOS and iOS

5.6.1

Apr 16, 2018

Server App

This Fall, Apple plans to cease bundling the open source services (Calendar Server, Contacts Server, Messages Server, Mail Server, DNS, DHCP, VPN Server, and Websites) in macOS Server, and will guide customers to acquire these same services directly from the open source providers. For more information, please refer to: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208312

To help prepare for this transition, these services— which are still included in macOS Server 5.6—will no longer be visible in the Server App sidebar for new installations. Existing installations that update to macOS Server 5.6 will be unaffected and will continue to work as usual.

We continue to actively develop and support the other features of macOS Server, including Open Directory, Profile Manager and Xsan management.

5.6

Mar 29, 2018

Server App

This Fall, Apple plans to cease bundling the open source services (Calendar Server, Contacts Server, Messages Server, Mail Server, DNS, DHCP, VPN Server, and Websites) in macOS Server, and will guide customers to acquire these same services directly from the open source providers. For more information, please refer to: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208312

To help prepare for this transition, these services— which are still included in macOS Server 5.6—will no longer be visible in the Server App sidebar for new installations. Existing installations that update to macOS Server 5.6 will be unaffected and will continue to work as usual.

We continue to actively develop and support the other features of macOS Server, including Open Directory, Profile Manager and Xsan management.

5.5

5.4

Sep 25, 2017

What’s New in macOS Server 5.4

Server App • Caching Server, Time Machine Server, and File Sharing advanced options are now built directly into macOS • Caching Server now supports a tiered architecture • Xcode Server has been integrated into Xcode • Support for APFS volumes

Profile Manager Support for new restrictions, payloads, and management commands:

5.3.1

5.3

Support for new device management capabilities introduced in tvOS 10.2:• Configure Device Enrollment Program settings including auto-advance through Setup Assistant• Install enterprise apps• Create new Conference Room Display and Single App Mode (enterprise apps only) profile payloads• Configure restrictions to disable AirPlay, disable pairing with Remote app, and require a passcode on first AirPlay pairing• Set name, restart, and erase

Support for new Configuration Profile payload changes and commands introduced in iOS 10.3:• Restrict WiFi network connections to managed networks only• Configure restrictions for Dictation and modification of AirPlay and View Screen permission settings• Specify separate S/MIME Sign and Encrypt certificates in the Mail and Exchange payloads• Restart, shut down, and play Lost Mode sound on a device• Location accuracy information provided for devices in Lost Mode• VPN on demand support for IKEv2 in the VPN payload• Set the supported IP versions for the default APN in the Cellular payload

Other new features include:• Ability to set device name at enrollment time• A new Classroom configuration option to allow modifying the AirPlay and View Screen permission on student devices• Ability to configure Class name format with a combination of Course Name and Class Number for classes synced from Apple School Manager• Automatic syncing of passcode type for Managed Apple IDs from Apple School Manager• Ability to assign ownership of a Mac enrolled without authentication• A new option to skip the Home Setup Assistant pane in the Device Enrollment Program settings

5.0.15

Oct 21, 2015

Improves reliability of upgrade and migration.Fixes several Web Server and WebDAV issues.Improves performance of the Profile Manager administration portal.Enhances stability and performance for iCloud caching and iOS file sharing.Fixes an issue where standard users were sometimes shown as administrators.

5.0.4

Sep 21, 2015

• OS X Server 5.0 features a cleaner, more consistent user interface. • OS X Server 5.0 is now operating system version independent. The same version of Server can be used on Mac computers running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 and OS X El Capitan 10.11.• OS X Server can perform network diagnostic tests to verify that your server is accessible from the Internet. New diagnostic tests include the ability to verify when specific websites are no longer reachable and when DNS MX records are incorrectly configured or missing.

Caching Server• Caching Server can accelerate the download of iCloud data, including documents in iCloud Drive and photos. Enabling iCloud Acceleration reduces the amount of iCloud data that must be downloaded when users have multiple devices on the same network.

File Sharing• iOS 9 users can easily access and store documents on OS X Server. Once a share point is created, it can be shared to iOS devices and made available using traditional file sharing protocols such as SMB and AFP. This allows users to open, edit and save documents from both iOS 9 and OS X 10.11.

Profile Manager• Profile Manager supports new MDM commands and queries as well as Configuration Profile payloads and settings introduced in iOS 9 and OS X 10.11.

iOS and OS X• Device-based Volume Purchase Program (VPP) app assignment: Assign VPP apps to devices instead of a user’s Apple ID. This allows for the installation of VPP apps on iOS devices and Mac computers without configuring an Apple ID or sending an invitation.• VPP Managed Distribution migration: Migrate apps already installed on a device from assignment to a user’s Apple ID to assignment to that device without deleting the app or user data.• App installation improvements: App Store apps can be installed even if the App Store is disabled. This includes newly assigned apps and app updates.

iOS 9• Single Sign-On: Apps configured to use Kerberos will automatically launch per-app VPN when a user logs in to that app.• Skip steps in Setup Assistant: Devices enrolled in the Device Enrollment Program (DEP) can be configured to remove the new Move from Android option from the Setup pane in Setup Assistant.• Update to latest iOS: Update DEP-enrolled supervised devices to the latest iOS.• Network usage rules: Network usage rules allow organizations to specify how managed apps use networks, such as cellular data networks; for example, restricting the app’s ability to connect over cellular or when roaming on other networks. These rules apply only to managed apps.• New device restrictions: Prevent Mail Drop; prevent trusting new enterprise app authors; prevent the use of AirDrop when the app is managed.• New restrictions for supervised devices: Prevent changing the wallpaper; prevent changing the device name; prevent enabling iCloud Photo Library; prevent keyboard shortcuts; prevent pairing with Apple Watch; prevent setting a passcode.• OS X Server accounts can be added in the Mail, Contacts and Calendars section of the Settings application in iOS 9.

5.0.3

Sep 16, 2015

Server Application• OS X Server 5.0 features a cleaner, more consistent user interface. • OS X Server 5.0 is now operating system version independent. The same version of Server can be used on Mac computers running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 and OS X El Capitan 10.11.• OS X Server can perform network diagnostic tests to verify that your server is accessible from the Internet. New diagnostic tests include the ability to verify when specific websites are no longer reachable and when DNS MX records are incorrectly configured or missing.

Caching Server• Caching Server can accelerate the download of iCloud data, including documents in iCloud Drive and photos. Enabling iCloud Acceleration reduces the amount of iCloud data that must be downloaded when users have multiple devices on the same network.

File Sharing• iOS 9 users can easily access and store documents on OS X Server. Once a share point is created, it can be shared to iOS devices and made available using traditional file sharing protocols such as SMB and AFP. This allows users to open, edit and save documents from both iOS 9 and OS X 10.11.

Profile Manager• Profile Manager supports new MDM commands and queries as well as Configuration Profile payloads and settings introduced in iOS 9 and OS X 10.11.

iOS and OS X• Device-based Volume Purchase Program (VPP) app assignment: Assign VPP apps to devices instead of a user’s Apple ID. This allows for the installation of VPP apps on iOS devices and Mac computers without configuring an Apple ID or sending an invitation.• VPP Managed Distribution migration: Migrate apps already installed on a device from assignment to a user’s Apple ID to assignment to that device without deleting the app or user data.• App installation improvements: App Store apps can be installed even if the App Store is disabled. This includes newly assigned apps and app updates.

iOS 9• Single Sign-On: Apps configured to use Kerberos will automatically launch per-app VPN when a user logs in to that app.• Skip steps in Setup Assistant: Devices enrolled in the Device Enrolment Program (DEP) can be configured to remove the new Move from Android option from the Setup pane in Setup Assistant.• Update to latest iOS: Update DEP-enrolled supervised devices to the latest iOS.• Network usage rules: Network usage rules allow organizations to specify how managed apps use networks, such as cellular data networks; for example, restricting the app’s ability to connect over cellular or when roaming on other networks. These rules apply only to managed apps.• New device restrictions: Prevent Mail Drop; prevent trusting new enterprise app authors; prevent the use of AirDrop when the app is managed.• New restrictions for supervised devices: Prevent changing the wallpaper; prevent changing the device name; prevent enabling iCloud Photo Library; prevent keyboard shortcuts; prevent pairing with Apple Watch; prevent setting a passcode.• OS X Server accounts can be added in the Mail, Contacts and Calendars section of the Settings application in iOS 9.

4.1.5

4.1.3

Jun 30, 2015

What’s New in Server 4.1.3

• Updated for OS X Yosemite 10.10.4.• Profile Manager support for new features, Mobile Device Management commands, and payloads introduced in iOS 8.3.• Caching Server configuration option to output DNS TXT records in Windows format.• Messages service improvements for group access.• Enhancements for Profile Manager device searching.• User and Group accounts can now be exported to a file.• Improved reliability of Time Machine backups and restores.• Fixed an issue that could cause Server to stall when updating Profile Manager, Calendar, and Wiki services.• Updated Profile Manager enrollment profile handling.• Improved Web service remote administration.• Fixed an issue where Firewall rules were incorrectly being applied after reboot.• Wiki service improvements on iPad.

4.1

Apr 8, 2015

• Updated for OS X Yosemite 10.10.3.• Profile Manager support for new features, Mobile Device Management commands, and payloads introduced in iOS 8.3.• Caching Server configuration option to output DNS TXT records in Windows format.• Messages service improvements for group access.• Enhancements for Profile Manager device searching.• User and Group accounts can now be exported to a file.• Improved reliability of Time Machine backups and restores.• Fixed an issue that could cause Server to stall when updating Profile Manager and Wiki services.

4.0.3

Jan 6, 2015

• Updated for OS X Yosemite and iOS 8.• SMB3 is the new default protocol for sharing files in OS X Yosemite. SMB3 helps protect against tampering and eavesdropping by encrypting and signing data “in-flight.”• Caching Server supports IP address range registration for caching content in non-NAT’ed networks.• Profile Manager support for new features in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, including Handoff and push install of OS X enterprise apps and iOS media assets including PDF, ePub, and iBooks Author files.• Redesigned Mail Server interface for setting up email for multiple domains.• Meeting room addresses can be stored in Calendar Server, allowing clients to associate map locations and travel times.• Simplified setup of Xsan volumes and clients using the Server application and Configuration Profiles.• Server now performs network diagnostic tests to verify that your server is accessible from the Internet. Network diagnostic tests verify reachability by checking your server's host name, service ports, and DNS MX records.• Firewall and user/group-based service access controls can now be defined in the Access tab of Server pane. Access restrictions can be applied in multiple levels — for all networks, local networks, this Mac, custom networks, and specific users and groups.• Xcode Server compatibility with Xcode 6.• Improved graphs and visual stats.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

4.0

Oct 16, 2014

Sep 28, 2018

Version 5.7.1

Profile Manager

Profile Manager provides enhanced management capabilities and support for management of new features in macOS, iOS, and tvOS.

New Mail and Exchange payload settings• Allow a user to enable or disable S/MIME signing• Allow a user to modify the selection of the S/MIME signing certificate• Allow a user to enable or disable S/MIME encryption• Allow a user to modify the selection of the S/MIME encryption certificate

New Exchange payload settings• Use OAuth for authentication

New Notifications payload settings• Specify whether an app is allowed to send critical alerts• Allow grouped notifications• Show in CarPlay

New Commands• Install Updates (only appears in the Action pop-up menu when updates are available on the selected Apple TV or Apple TV devices within a group)

Ratings and Reviews

1.6 out of 5

282 Ratings

282 Ratings

a satisfied person.
,09/30/2018

My Dream turned into a nightmare...

In the beginning, April 2017, I bought my MacBook Pro to standardize around the Apple platform. This was my dream. It became the center of the management of my iOS devices . I bought MacOS Server and began my plan structure to manage my email, VPN System and local website access to my personal media on my network using the Apple ecosystem for my family.

Earlier this year, Apple announced MacOS Server’s End Of Life (in all the ways of value that I need). This turned my dream into a nightmare. There is no real value in this product now and Apple has crushed Power Users and real Small Business structures for an easy social colobratives software platform solution. My Household has 23 Apple devices (20 in regular use) and I had planned for more but for what reason now?! I'm extremely disappointed.

Apple, are you going to provide a new solution to the people who have really had your back or are you just in it for profit and polished show? Don't misunderstand my question, I want to know if the original MacOS Server features will be back and implemented somewhere else? I’d gladly pay for the features to be included or as options in the ecosystem. For all its worth, MacOS Server isn’t perfect but it was what we have or had. I hope your answer is not crickets.

a satisfied person.
,09/30/2018

My Dream turned into a nightmare...

In the beginning, April 2017, I bought my MacBook Pro to standardize around the Apple platform. This was my dream. It became the center of the management of my iOS devices . I bought MacOS Server and began my plan structure to manage my email, VPN System and local website access to my personal media on my network using the Apple ecosystem for my family.

Earlier this year, Apple announced MacOS Server’s End Of Life (in all the ways of value that I need). This turned my dream into a nightmare. There is no real value in this product now and Apple has crushed Power Users and real Small Business structures for an easy social colobratives software platform solution. My Household has 23 Apple devices (20 in regular use) and I had planned for more but for what reason now?! I'm extremely disappointed.

Apple, are you going to provide a new solution to the people who have really had your back or are you just in it for profit and polished show? Don't misunderstand my question, I want to know if the original MacOS Server features will be back and implemented somewhere else? I’d gladly pay for the features to be included or as options in the ecosystem. For all its worth, MacOS Server isn’t perfect but it was what we have or had. I hope your answer is not crickets.

IT Pro Dude
,01/23/2018

Not Recommended For Live Business Use

On the surface this seems to be a great buy. It provides a GUI front-end to many of the open source underpinnings already found on your Mac OS.

However, the problems I have experienced over the last 4 years is that the updates sometimes break functionality, take away features, or make previous implementations unfeasible. This has led to catastrophies for our organization. Examples in the past, that have required Apple enterprise support have been: disruption of email for days, email logs no longer available (intentionally by Development), firewall troubleshooting because an update broke connectivity, anti-virus & junkmail filters failing to update, etc.

If you base your services offered by this product, beware, because it seems as if Apple may not do much vetting in business environments - or they have a hard time ensuring all the open source components are compatible with their OS. Because the features change so much, documentation is often sketchy & outdated. These are big problems that can sometimes requires hours, or even days of troubleshooting & re-configuration, to get this app working after a patch. Please put that troubleshooting time into your cost analysis when you buy a $20 server.

IT Pro Dude
,01/23/2018

Not Recommended For Live Business Use

On the surface this seems to be a great buy. It provides a GUI front-end to many of the open source underpinnings already found on your Mac OS.

However, the problems I have experienced over the last 4 years is that the updates sometimes break functionality, take away features, or make previous implementations unfeasible. This has led to catastrophies for our organization. Examples in the past, that have required Apple enterprise support have been: disruption of email for days, email logs no longer available (intentionally by Development), firewall troubleshooting because an update broke connectivity, anti-virus & junkmail filters failing to update, etc.

If you base your services offered by this product, beware, because it seems as if Apple may not do much vetting in business environments - or they have a hard time ensuring all the open source components are compatible with their OS. Because the features change so much, documentation is often sketchy & outdated. These are big problems that can sometimes requires hours, or even days of troubleshooting & re-configuration, to get this app working after a patch. Please put that troubleshooting time into your cost analysis when you buy a $20 server.

G-Mo
,10/21/2017

A $20 Mac Server

Let me counterpoint some of the other reviews:- Some core features were moved from being maintained in this $20 additional app into the core OS; so you can set up a Time Machine server and iCloud Caching server without buying this app. Sweet. Do I wish I didn't need to Google to find out my wife's backups weren't working because I needed to turn SMB on? Yes, but that's a documentation issue, not really an app issue.- VPN service is still included in this app. Yes, it conflicts with Back To My Mac - you can use the VPN *instead of* Back to My Mac. I VPN into my home network from any of my devices. Then I can access computers/servers at home, or pop out using ssh/etc from there as though I'm home. For $20, once.

Upgrading to the latest version wasn't seamless, but changes usually require some learning, and I do think moving the services to the main OS instead of requiring this interface app is a step in the right direction. Having some clearer migration documenatation would have been nice so we could easily learn where the features were and how to use them.

G-Mo
,10/21/2017

A $20 Mac Server

Let me counterpoint some of the other reviews:- Some core features were moved from being maintained in this $20 additional app into the core OS; so you can set up a Time Machine server and iCloud Caching server without buying this app. Sweet. Do I wish I didn't need to Google to find out my wife's backups weren't working because I needed to turn SMB on? Yes, but that's a documentation issue, not really an app issue.- VPN service is still included in this app. Yes, it conflicts with Back To My Mac - you can use the VPN *instead of* Back to My Mac. I VPN into my home network from any of my devices. Then I can access computers/servers at home, or pop out using ssh/etc from there as though I'm home. For $20, once.

Upgrading to the latest version wasn't seamless, but changes usually require some learning, and I do think moving the services to the main OS instead of requiring this interface app is a step in the right direction. Having some clearer migration documenatation would have been nice so we could easily learn where the features were and how to use them.